We are getting a better sense of the tragedy unfolding in the Central African Republic as more information becomes available. The scale of the misery is country-wide, and Muslims are fleeing the country in significant numbers as the world witnesses yet another example of cleansing. Muslims accounted for about 15% of the CAR population, and also filled some important economic roles in the society. It is hard to imagine any measure of stability in the country if the cleansing process continues.
As we watch the protests unfold in Ukraine, Thailand, Venezuela, Turkey and many other countries, it is important to remember that all protest movements are firmly rooted in local issues. Nonetheless, there are systemic pressures that are transmitted by the forces of globalization that tend to make these local affairs true manifestations of a much larger process. The protests we are witnessing are all spearheaded by firmly entrenched middle class groups, raising very traditional middle class issues. And all of these protests are occurring in what are regarded as democratic polities. In the abstract, we may be witnessing the erosion of legitimacy of liberal values, closely akin to the similar erosion in the early 20th century.
Ukrainian President Yanukovich claims to still be in Ukraine (presumably in the pro-Russian eastern part of the country), and the protesters and the outside world are struggling to figure out what the next steps might be. Chief among the worries are the Russian response to the governmental collapse. Russia has always considered Ukraine to be an essential part of Greater Russia, and its strategic and economic importance for Russia is difficult to overstate. Now that the Olympics are over, we can be certain that President Putin feels much less constrained to articulate Russian interests.
World Politics News 
Leave a comment